English Language Arts/Literacy Practice Tests

Do you want to know what taking the English/Language Arts/Literacy portion of the PARCC Assessments is like? A practice test for each grade is available below for you to use to familiarize yourself with the kinds of items and format used for the tests.

Mathematics Practice Tests

Do you want to know what taking the Mathematics portion of the PARCC Assessments is like? A practice test for each grade is available below for you to use to familiarize yourself with the kinds of items, tools, and format used for the tests.

All of the Computer-Based Practice Tests have scoring capability built into the tool. Additionally, PARCC has provided answer keys and rubrics for educators for all of the practice tests.

The PARCC English Language Arts/Literacy summative assessments include one prose constructed response item for each of the tasks that appears on the Performance-Based Assessment component. Teachers can reference the scoring rubrics as they review the three prose constructed responses.

Information on Accessibility Features

The full list of accessibility features embedded for all students and accessibility features that need to be identified in advance can be found on pages 20-25 of the PARCC Accessibility Features and Accommodations Manual.

Answer masking, color contrast (background/font color) and text-to-speech for mathematics, are available for all participating students who need these tools, but need to be identified in advance via the Personal Needs Profile (PNP).

Information on Accommodations

The full list of accommodations for students with disabilities and English learners can be found on pages 27-47 of the PARCC Accessibility Features and Accommodations Manual.

Information for Accommodated Versions

Screen Reader

Update Beginning Spring 2017

The Multiple Choice (Radio Button) interaction for Screen Reader users has been updated.

The interaction has been updated to a more common design that aligns to the standard interaction used by screen reader users. Now, when students navigate into a multiple choice field, the radio button given focus by the Screen Reader will automatically be selected. Students can use the space bar to remove the selection.

Students who use a screen reader should practice with the updated multiple choice interactions prior to the operational assessment this spring to become familiar with the updated interaction.

Compatibility

A screen reader is a software application, separate from text-to-speech embedded in TestNav, which conveys web content through audio. Screen readers are appropriate for students who are trained to use the software and who use it in the classroom, including those who are blind or have a visual impairment.

Pearson’s test platform is being programmed to comply with the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, Level AA. We are also utilizing the W3C’s Accessible Rich Internet Application (ARIA) recommendation to improve the interaction between assistive technology and assessment content.

For optimal compatibility with our testing platform, browsers and assistive technology products should comply with the User Agent Accessibility Guidelines (UAAG) and support the ARIA recommendation.

Because the JAWS screen reader is broadly used in PARCC states, Pearson is going above and beyond the WCAG 2.0 AA requirements to optimize the user experience for JAWS 15 with the Firefox browser and Windows 7.

Large Print

To print Large Print Paper Practice Tests to the optimal enlargement of 150% to 18 point font, they must be printed on 14" x 18" paper. Do not use print scaling or fit-to-page in your printer settings.

Large Print Paper Practice Tests can also be printed on 11" x 17" paper with a print size of less than 150% of the standard print. For this, print scaling or fit-to-page must be set in your printer settings.

Tactile Graphics

Tactile graphics are images that use raised surfaces so that a person who is blind or visually impaired can feel them. They are used to convey non-textual information such as maps, paintings, graphs, and diagrams.

Tactile graphics are required for students using Screen Reader or downloadable .BRF versions for the Grade 8 ELA and all Mathematics tests because the non-textual information cannot be displayed electronically or printed/embossed via a downloadable .BRF file.

Additional Guidance

For students taking the braille edition of the PARCC assessments, refer to your state’s Unified English Braille (UEB) transition plan in Appendix C of the Test Coordinator Manual (TCM) to determine which braille code will be available on the spring 2017 operational assessment at each grade level.

Pearson PARCC customer support is a technical resource for schools and districts participating in PARCC. Parents who have questions about PARCC are encouraged to contact their school, Local Education Association, district, or state PARCC contact.